St. John's Episcopal Church - Centreville, VA
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Parish News - April 20, 2022
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Dear St. John's Parishioners and Friends:
Thank you so much to all who have sent me cards, gifts and well-wishes in the past few weeks. I have felt surrounded and uplifted by your love and I am truly grateful.
It was good to journey with you through the events of Holy Week and celebrate Jesus' resurrection on Easter Day. God's love surrounded and filled St. John's on Sunday. They were glorious services! Thanks to all who made these services possible!
As you read this on Wednesday, I am at the beach for some R and R. My sister and I will leave for London and this "great adventure" of a sabbatical on April 29.
I would be negligent if I did not tell you of the diocesan policy that says that a rector cannot return to his/her previous parish. This is so the new rector (or interim) can get to know you, lead the parish and get established without the previous rector hanging around. Please do not ask me to return to officiate as a baptism, wedding or funeral as I will not be able to do that. The new rector (or interim) will be the officiant.
Please welcome The Rev. Philene Ware Dunn this coming Sunday as you welcomed me when I first came to St. John's. She will be here on Sunday mornings only and will work with Steve on any pastoral concerns.
You will continue to be in my prayers during this time of transition and beyond. May you love one another as God loves us.
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The Rev. Carol Hancock
Rector
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JOIN US THIS SUNDAY
FOR IN-PERSON WORSHIP AT ST. JOHN'S!
We will continue to wear masks and socially distance ourselves as much as possible. We will also continue our "safe" way of having communion by using the individual cups for the bread and the wine.
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The services continue to be live streamed at 9:30 AM on Sunday morning, and they can be watched later as well. The link to the online service is found below and will be the same link every Sunday. On Saturday, we will resend the link, along with a link for the bulletin and the lectionary class.
SUNDAY LIVESTREAM LINK:
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PARISH NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
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We have all seen the horrors of the war in Ukraine. If you would like to help those in need, Episcopal Relief and Development is working closely with a group that is on the ground in Ukraine. You can make a contribution on their website at
Carol's sabbatical plans:
Many of you have asked about my plans for my sabbatical. As you know, I received a grant from the Lilly Foundation for a three month sabbatical. Here's a quick rundown. On April 20, I am headed to the beach for some much needed R and R. On April 29, my sister and I will fly to London and visit some of the cathedrals and other historic sites. On May 6, we will take a train through Scotland to the island of Iona, off the northern coast of Scotland. Iona is a very spiritual place (often called a "thin place") where we take part in the life of the abbey there. Following Iona, we will travel to Glasgow for a few days before flying to Munich, where we will join a tour group to see parts of Germany and Austria. The highlight of that tour is seeing the Passion Play in Obermmagau, a play that is done once every 10 years by those living in that town. People come from all over the world to see this! We will then return home for awhile before flying to Hawaii for almost three weeks. After we return home, we will have a small family reunion at the Outer Banks, NC. My retirement will then begin on August 1. Three things that I have always wanted to do have been to visit Hawaii and England, and see the Passion Play. And I will be able to do all of these during this trip, thanks to your support and the generosity of the Lilly Foundation.
The theme of my sabbatical is "Sabbath Rest". Especially in Northern Virginia, we are hurrying and "doing" all the time, with little time for rest and enjoying this world that God has given us. I have invited The Rev. Kathy Guin to do a Zoom presentation on "Sabbath Rest" on Wednesday, May 18 at 7:00 PM. The Zoom link and more information will be coming out closer to the date. On Sunday, May 22, Kirk Gibson will be joining us after the service to talk about retreats at Shrine Mont. Many parishes have yearly parish retreats, though individuals can make private retreats as well. Please join these two events to learn more about the importance of sabbath rest.
The final candidates for Bishop of Virginia have been named. They are:
- The Rev. Joseph Hensley, Rector, St. George’s, Fredericksburg, VA
- The Rev. Canon Alan James, Interim Canon Missioner, Diocese of Western Michigan
- The Very Rev. Gideon Pollach, Rector, St. John’s Church, Cold Spring Harbor, NY
- The Rev. Canon Mark Stevenson, Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Ministry within The Episcopal Church
To get to know the nominees, the diocese will host several "Meet and Greet" forums around the diocese. The one closest to us is on Saturday, May 21 from 5-7 PM at St. John's Episcopal Church, 6715 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA. This event will also be live streamed. The Standing Committee strongly encourages members of the Diocese to submit questions to the Transition Committee at bishoptransitionva@gmail.com using the subject line “Meet and Greet Questions". Our lay delegate is Walt Cooner and he will be voting for the bishop-elect on June 4. Let him know what you think of the candidates.
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St. John's is forming a search committee to find our next priest. If you are interested in obtaining more information about being on that committee, please contact David Parker, Senior Warden, via email at davidpar322@gmail.com .
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As the Russian invasion of Ukraine escalates, please continue to pray for all those involved in this conflict.
God of peace and justice, we pray for the people of Ukraine today. We pray for peace and the laying down of weapons. We pray for all those who fear for tomorrow, that your Spirit of comfort would draw near to them. We pray for those with power over war or peace, for wisdom, discernment and compassion to guide their decisions. Above all, we pray for all your precious children, at risk and in fear, that you would hold and protect them. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Amen
(written by Archbishop Justin Welby and Archbishop Stephen Cottrell)
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We Celebrated the Ministry of The Rev. Carol Hancock,
with us at St. John's from 2014 - 2022. We send best wishes from all of us as you take your sabbatical and begin your new chapter - retirement!
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If you couldn't attend, here is the LINK to the video tribute put together by David Weir to click on, showing lots of photos of our years with Carol at St. John's. https://youtu.be/uRd125LhBkU
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OUTREACH and VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
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Top Items Currently Needed by The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter
Toothpaste / Shampoo / Conditioner / Body Wash /
Bar Soap / Hand Soap / Deodorant
The items may be dropped off at the office.
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The Katharine K. Hanley Family Shelter is located nearby and currently house up to 12 families onsite, 12 families in hotel sites and serve over 40 families in their prevention and rapid rehousing programs. Seeking volunteers for:
- On-call movers: 3-4 volunteers with a pick-up truck or U-Haul Rental Truck, must be able to lift and move furniture and other household items.
- Volunteer Delivery Driver (VDD): Provides essential help in getting items to community members, residents, and Shelter House Program Participants. This position requires a working vehicle, license, and personal ability to navigate to new places.
- Volunteer On Call Moving Assistant (VOCMA): Requires the ability to lift, carry, and drive. They work directly with residents who are moving out of shelter or relocating This position does not include the transportation of people. (Ages 18+)
- Volunteer Shelter Assistant (VSA): A versatile position that participates in
onsite tasks such as cleaning, organizing, and various hands-on activities depending on the needs of the shelter determined by the Building Manager and/or Community Coordinator. (Ages 16+)
- If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please contact Rev. Deacon Steve at stjohnscvdeacon1@gmail.com who will coordinate with KKHFS Community Coordinator to get you started. Note: positions may require training from the KKHFS particularly those involving direct contact with clients.
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Western Fairfax Christian Ministries updated list of the foods that they need the most. You can bring your non-perishable items to the church on Sunday mornings, or drop them off in the box outside the door by the breezeway during the week and they will be delivered to WFCM.
Most needed items in the food pantry this month, APRIL 2022:
Most needed items in the food pantry this month:
· Canned Vegetables (low salt beets. collard greens)
· Juice (100% Fruit in plastic containers)
· Great Northern Beans
· Canned Mandarin Oranges
· Spaghetti (1 lb. packages)
· Oatmeal
· Boxed Stuffing
· Vienna Sausages
· Apple Sauce
· Sugar
· Gluten-free food items
· Family-size Snacks (chips, crackers)
· Cake Mix/Brownie Mix
· Ketchup, Mustard, Mayo, and Salad Dressing (family size not miniature packs)
· Toiletries: Toilet paper, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste (NOTE: we are not currently in need of diapers size 0-4 due to our partnership with Greater DC Diaper Bank. Please only donate larger size diapers, larger size pull ups size 4T/5T for toddlers, or wipes if you want to donate items for babies.)
As a reminder, we accept food and toiletry donations Monday - Friday 8-10 am at 4511 Daly Drive Suite H (Back Door) and on the second Saturday monthly 9-11 am.
The Western Fairfax Shepherd Center is still accepting volunteer drivers to support clients who need help getting to appointments, shopping trips (for food), and to deliver food from WFCM to clients. Please contact the Shepherd Center at 703-246-5920 or email scwfc.office@gmail.com and copy Deacon Steve at stjohnscvdeacon1@gmail.com.
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Registering now for the
- WFCM 4th Annual Golf Tournament Fundraiser to be held
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Monday, May 23, 2022, at the
- Chantilly National Golf and Country Club on Braddock Rd.
- This is a major fundraiser for WFCM.
Registration is now open. Join them for a great day starting with continental breakfast boxed and ready in your cart, followed by 18 holes on a beautiful course, contests, complimentary beverage and snack cart, and concluding with a boxed barbeque lunch to go or enjoy on the patio. The tee off is at 8:30 am for this scramble. Check their website for prices and additional information.
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Sunday service reader or usher We welcome, need, and value your help! The lector will read the 2 lessons and the psalm. The usher will hand out bulletins and bring the elements and offering to the altar. If you would like to do either of these
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Altar Flowers
When you sign up, please indicate how you wish your flower donation to appear in the Sunday bulletin. CLICK HERE
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The Adult Lectionary Forum - IN PERSON & ON ZOOM
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SUNDAY WORSHIP & EDUCATION
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THE ADULT LECTIONARY FORUM - HELD EACH SUNDAY
All are invited to join in, following the Sunday service, in the library. Or use the link to the Lectionary Forum via Zoom, in case you cannot attend in person, found above.
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We can prepare our hearts & minds by reading ahead
for the Sunday Service lesson
The Second Sunday of Easter
April 24, 2022
The First Reading: Acts 5:27-32
Jealous authorities threaten the apostles, who cannot be dissuaded from sharing the good news of Jesus’ resurrection.
The Psalm: 150 - p. 807, BCP
The Second Reading: Revelation 1:4-8
John writes to the faithful in Asia, sharing the vision God has given him of Jesus’ coming reign as ruler of all creation for all time.
The Gospel: John 20:19-31
Jesus appears to the frightened disciples in his resurrected body; his flesh bolsters the faith of his followers, especially Thomas. Blessed are those disciples who have not touched Jesus but still believe in the resurrection.
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Online Contributions
to St. John's
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St. John's now offers three buttons for online donations via Tithe.ly. You may use the buttons below to go directly to Tithe.ly, or you may download the Tithe.ly app on your phone or tablet.
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The Pledge payment button may be used only to make your pledge payment (after signing up to be a pledger, which may be done at any time in the year. See Carol or Vestry)
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The Facility Campaign button may be used only for any contribution for the facility's buildings and grounds, or special facility campaigns.
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The Donation button may be used for any other type of donation to St. John's. To designate a special purpose (i.e. Organ Fund, Ministry Partner payments, etc.) please send a note to sjeccentreville@aol.com.
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Bishop's Letter:
“Open Door”
A Meditation for Easter Monday
Are you back at work? Back in the grind? Have you got your list of what’s to be done now that Easter day is over? Thinking about what’s next? Plans for the summer? Pondering the Bishop’s election?
Sister Joan Chittister, who is always wise about everything, reminds us of how misguided we are to limiting Easter to a day or a one-time occurrence. She writes:
“The Resurrection is not a single event, but a loosening of God’s power and light into the earth and history that continues to alter all things, infusing them with the grace and power of God’s own holiness. It is as though a door was opened and what poured out will never be stopped, and the door cannot be closed….”
What if we stopped thinking of Easter as a day or even a season and instead thought of it as God’s ongoing activity? As the poet Gerard Manly Hopkins wrote, “Let Him easter in us.”
I have been thinking more and more that the disease that infects this country is less Covid 19 and more despair. In the midst of Covid 19 and the political rancor that infect our country, it’s easy to forget that “a door was opened and what poured out will never be stopped.” Therefore, I need to cease thinking about what I can do to cause transformation, which is almost nothing, and instead remember what God has done, is doing, and will do, which is everything.
Therefore, this Easter Season, I am not only pondering the Risen Christ’s appearances in scripture, but I am also remembering the times when God has “eastered” in my life: the times when the seemingly impossible became possible. I thought my wife and I would never have children, and then through God’s grace we adopted our son and daughter. I thought I would never get free from an addiction to alcohol, and through God’s grace I have been sober for thirty-two years. I thought I was way too sophisticated and educated to be a follower of Jesus and a member of His church, and through God’s grace, like the Prodigal Son, I came to myself and rediscovered my home in The Episcopal Church.
I remember these events and remember that the “loosening of God’s power and light into the earth and history” has altered my life and “infused [it] with the grace and power of God’s own holiness.”
As you think of your list, perhaps your conception of Easter will move from being a day or even a fifty-day season to being the DNA of this world. May we give thanks for it, but more may we embrace it and experience it, and proclaim it by word and deed.
Christ is Risen. We are risen. Alleluia.
Bishop Porter Taylor
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Longing
What is your longing? That longing is but the smallest drop of God’s unfathomable longing for us. Through time, through distance, through denial, betrayal, doubt and suspicion, the love of God has brought Jesus on his knees to our road-weary feet. And he asks us to turn our longing into love like his. We love, and we long, because he first longed for us.
- Br. Todd Blackham, SSJE
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May our ministry together spread God's love to all whom we encounter.
- Carol
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Please note: If you choose to unsubscribe below, please be aware that you will no longer receive either St. John's sermons or E-Notes, which are sent weekly. If you do unsubscribe and later want to be added back in, that needs to be done through the provider, Constant Contact. Please email St. John's office with the request: SJECCentreville@aol.com.
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